Portable novel trash receptacle

ABSTRACT

A portable novel trash receptacle which encourages children as well as adults to practice proper disposal ethics. The receptacle is small in size and can be stored in a convenient location such as beneath a vehicle seat, and also may include means for rewarding the user in a fun manner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to trash receptacles in general but morespecifically pertains to a small portable novelty trash receptacle whichis most functional for disposal of small items such as candy wrappers,or the like. Also, the container can be easily stored in a compactmanner, such as beneath a vehicle seat, it is fun to use, and thecontainer is aesthetically pleasing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Within the known prior art, there have been many different typesof trash receptacles or containers proposed, but most are generally verylarge and are not of a shape and size to be easily transported, nor canthey be conveniently stored in a compact manner when not in use.

[0003] One example of a unique trash receptacle is taught within U.S.Pat. No. 4,166,572 entitled “COMBINED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR TABLE USE”,issued to Winthrop M. Leeds. Wherein they provide a trash receptaclewhich is strictly designed for use with a dinner table setting and maybe combined with an ashtray, a lamp stand, a candle holder, or a flowervase.

[0004] Another prior art example is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,031entitled “COMBINATION PORTABLE SEAT AND TRASH CONTAINER”, issued toPatterson Jack O. Wherein they substantially provide a chair having atrash receptacle formed therein.

[0005] Still another example of prior art includes U.S. Pat. No.5,263,672 entitled “ECONOMICAL AND COLLAPSIBLE WASTE BASKET”, issued toTe-Liang He. Wherein they teach a trash container which is formed fromcollapsible wire supports which when assembled can removably accept atrash bag thereon.

[0006] Each of the above noted prior art examples are functional fortheir intended use but none provide the unusual results and novelaspects as taught herein. Thus, the applicants contend the presentinvention recognizes, addresses, and resolves a problem that has notbeen solved in an efficient manner within the known prior art.

[0007] For example, while traveling in a vehicle the applicants foundthat with small children, such items like candy wrappers are usuallyjust tossed on the floor or into the ashtray. This is not only quite anuisance, but is most unsightly, and does not encourage proper disposalethics which is very important, especially with today's major concernsregarding our environment and proper disposal or recycling methods.

[0008] Therefore, the applicants contend that it would be mostadvantageous to provide a trash receptacle which is fun to use, isaesthetically pleasing to the eye, and encourages proper disposalmethods in children as well as adults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which can be used for containment anddisposal of small items, such as candy wrappers, tissues, gum, etc.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which is compact in size so as to beeasily transported, even by a small child.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which is of a shape and size to beeasily stored or concealed in a small space, such as beneath the seat ina vehicle.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which can be produced in various shapesand sizes of engineering choice. For example, the receptacle may be inthe form of an egg shape, oblong, rectangular, triangular, etc. and itmay have a flat section so it will not easily roll if desirable. Also inthe preferred embodiment, it is approximately equal in size to a smallcoffee can. But it is to be understood this size is only exemplary andit may be slightly smaller or larger.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which can be made from a variety ofmaterials of engineering choice, such as rubber, wood, aluminum, etc. orany other environmentally friendly material. However, in the preferredembodiment it is made from a recyclable material, such as plastic or thelike.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which can be hand-washed, or it can bemachined washed if preferred.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which may be internally coated with anonstick type substance so as not to easily adhere to certain materials,such as candy wrappers which may be sticky. For example, a suitablesubstance may include a thin coat of SILICONE, or an oil based spraysuch as PAM may be most efficient.

[0016] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which provides at least one internalcompartment for containment of refuse.

[0017] Also another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which includes closure means and allowsa user to easily open and close the receptacle. Thus when the receptacleis full, it can be opened and the contents can then be easily disposedof in a proper environmentally friendly manner.

[0018] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle having an opening which allows a user toeasily insert refuse there through, such as a gum wrapper may be easilyinserted into the noted compartment without having to open thereceptacle.

[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which may include at least one recessedcavity for containment of various items of user choice. For example,such suitable items may include but are not limited too, wet-wipes,tissues, a map, coins, a first aid kit, a sewing kit or the like.

[0020] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle having novelty features of engineeringchoice. For example, the receptacle may include a whistle formedthereon. Thus when a user disposes of their refuse in the proper manner,they can blow the whistle which is not only fun for them but encouragesothers to engage in the practice as well. Other novelties may includebells or animal noises which may be push-button actuated, etc.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which may be sold as an accessory itemrespective to a vehicle at the time of purchase. Thus, the receptaclemay be color coordinated to match the interior of the vehicle, or thelike.

[0022] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide aportable novel trash receptacle which may include attachment means forremovably attaching the receptacle onto a fixed location of choice. Forexample, the receptacle may include a loop and pile fastener such asVELCRO which allows the user to removably position the receptacle ontothe carpet within the vehicle, or the like.

[0023] Other objects and advantages will be seen and understood whentaken into consideration with the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective plan view of the preferredembodiment for the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is substantially a side view of a second embodiment for thepresent invention including a first reusable opening and closure means.

[0026]FIG. 3 is substantially a cut-a-way side view showing a secondtype of reusable opening and closure means.

[0027]FIG. 4 is substantially a cut-a-way side view showing a third typeof reusable opening and closure means.

[0028]FIG. 5 is substantially a perspective view depicting a firstarticle.

[0029]FIG. 6 is substantially a top view depicting one embodiment for alid.

[0030]FIG. 7 is substantially a perspective view depicting a box.

[0031]FIG. 8 is substantially a perspective view depicting a whistle.

[0032]FIG. 9 is substantially a perspective view depicting a loop andpile fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like charactersrefer to like elements throughout the various views. The presentinvention is a portable novel trash receptacle (10) which can besubstantially made of any suitable material of engineering choice, suchas plastic or the like. Also, trash receptacle (10) can be of anypreferred shape or size of engineering choice, such as round, hexagonal,triangular, etc. Or as depicted in FIG. 1 it may be in the form of asmall coffee can which is very efficient. Or as depicted in FIG. 2, itmay be oblong in shape, or the like.

[0034] Trash receptacle (10) is formed having at least one internalhollow cavity (12) and an opening (14) which is in open communicationwith internal hollow cavity (12). Opening (14) further having reusableopening and closure means which provides access to internal hollowcavity (12). Thus, opening and closure means allows a user to easilyopen and close trash receptacle (10) so as to allow for easy properdisposal of the contents when the trash receptacle (10) has been filled.

[0035] It is to be understood any suitable type of reusable opening andclosure means of engineering choice may be used. Therefore the followingdescriptions of some suitable reusable opening and closure means aresimply exemplary and the invention is not to be limited thereto.

[0036] In FIGS. 1 & 2, we show the reusable opening and closure meansbeing in the form of a cap (16) which is of a shape and size to befrictionally engaged and removably retained over opening (14).

[0037] In FIG. 3 a second reusable opening and closure means is depictedwhich is in the form of an internally threaded cap (18) and opening (14)includes external threads (20) for threadably receiving internallythreaded cap (18) thereon.

[0038] In FIG. 4 a third reusable opening and closure means is depictedwhich is in the form of an externally threaded cap (22) and opening (14)includes internal threads (24) for threadably receiving externallythreaded cap (22) thereon. Also for convenience, externally threaded cap(22) may include an upraised member (23) which functions as a handle foreasily attaching and removing externally threaded cap (22).

[0039] As depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2, trash receptacle (10) furtherincludes a second opening (24) which is of a shape and size to allowsmall sized refuse to be inserted there through and into hollow cavity(12). This allows a user to easily dispose of their litter, such ascandy wrappers or the like, into trash receptacle (10) without the needto actually open trash receptacle (10). This is especially useful forchildren as they can dispose of their trash without having to openanything. Thus, this encourages proper disposal ethics.

[0040] It is to be understood second opening (24) can be simply in theform of a rectangular slit, or it can be round, oval, in the shape of ananimal, etc. The only restriction is that second opening (24) must notbe too large so as to allow litter which has already been depositedwithin trash receptacle (10) to accidentally fall out.

[0041] As further depicted in FIG. 1, internal hollow cavity (12) may becoated with a nonstick type substance (26) so as not to easily adhere tocertain materials, such as candy wrappers which may be sticky. It is tobe understood any suitable type of nonstick substance of engineeringchoice may be used, such as a thin coat of SILICONE, an oil based spraysuch as PAM, or the like. Also for ease and convenience, the user maywish to insert a liner such as a plastic garbage bag or the like.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2 & 5, wherein trash receptacle (10)further includes at least one recessed cavity (28) that can be used forcontainment of an article of user choice. For example, recessed cavity(28) may be used for storage of an article such as a package ofwet-wipes (30). Or as depicted in FIG. 7, the article may be a box (32)having reusable opening and closure means. Thus, the user can storevarious items of choice within box (32), such as tissues, a map, coins,a first aid kit, a sewing kit, etc.

[0043] As previously stated, recessed cavity (28) includes reusableopening and closure means. It is to be understood any suitable type ofclosure means of engineering choice may be used. Thus, we only show onetype of closure means herein which is depicted in FIG. 6, which is inthe form of a lid (34) that is of a shape and size to be removablyfrictionally engaged and retained within recessed cavity (28). Also, ifpreferred lid (34) may include an upraised lip (36) which functions as ahandle for easily attaching and removing lid (34).

[0044] It is to be understood receptacle (10) may be so designed as toinclude a flattened area (38) which can be located at any position onreceptacle (10) according to engineering choice. This helps to preventthe receptacle (10) from sliding around or slipping from its desiredlocation, such as when the receptacle is positioned beneath the seat ina vehicle.

[0045] To further secure receptacle (10) onto a desired surface such asonto a vehicle door or carpet, we provide additional attachment means ofengineering choice. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, we show atypical loop and pile fastener (40) which is formed from a first loopmember (40-A) and a pile member (40-B). Whereby, loop member (40-A) canbe fixedly attached onto a desired mounting surface, while pile member(40-B) can be fixedly attached onto receptacle (10). Thus, loop member(40-A) and pile member (40-B) can be removably attached together andreceptacle (10) can be removably attached onto the desired mountingsurface of user choice.

[0046] Receptacle (10) may further include novelty items such as a noisemaker, which are fun and which encourage use of the product, as well asteaches good disposal ethics. For example in FIG. 8, we provide awhistle (42) which may be removably attached onto receptacle (10) by anysuitable attachment means of choice, such as by a string (44) or thelike, which can be tied onto a loop (46) located on receptacle (10). Itis to be understood the novelty item may be integrally formed withreceptacle (10) if so desired. It is to be further understood that thenoted whistle (42) is only an example of one type of suitable noisemaker and the present invention is not to be limited thereto.

[0047] Although the invention has been herein shown and described inwhat is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, itis recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope andspirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the detailsdisclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims soas to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus's.

What we claim as new and wish to secure by letters patent is:
 1. Aportable novel trash receptacle comprising: a receptacle having at leastone internal hollow cavity, said receptacle having an opening which isin open communication with said internal hollow cavity, said openinghaving reusable opening and closure means which provides access to saidinternal hollow cavity, and said receptacle having a second openingwhich is of a shape and size to allow small sized refuse to be insertedthere through and into said cavity.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1 furtherincludes said internal hollow cavity being coated with a nonsticksubstance.
 3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said reusable openingand closure means is a cap which is of a shape and size to befrictionally engaged over said opening.
 4. The receptacle of claim 1wherein said reusable opening and closure means is an internallythreaded cap and said opening having external threads for threadablyreceiving said internally threaded cap.
 5. The receptacle of claim 1wherein said reusable opening and closure means is an externallythreaded cap and said opening having internal threads for threadablyreceiving said externally threaded cap.
 6. The receptacle of claim 1further includes a recessed cavity for containment of an article andsaid recessed cavity having reusable opening and closure means.
 7. Thereceptacle of claim 6 wherein said article is a package of wet-wipes. 8.The receptacle of claim 6 wherein said reusable opening and closuremeans is a lid which is of a shape and size to be removably frictionallyengaged and retained within said recessed cavity.
 9. The receptacle ofclaim 6 wherein said article is a box having reusable opening andclosure means.
 10. The receptacle of claim 1 further includes anoisemaker.
 11. The receptacle of claim 10 wherein said noisemaker is awhistle.